2024 set a high bar with hits like Frieren, The Apothecary Diaries, and Oshi no Ko, delivering one of the strongest anime years in recent memory. But 2025 rose to the challenge, building on that momentum with an exciting lineup that gave us some of the strongest seasons for anime (Winter and Summer most notably).
There were standout continuations like One Punch Man Season 3 and Solo Leveling Season 2, along with new series that immediately stood out. From the gritty world of Gachiakuta to the quiet charm of The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity, there was plenty worth watching this year.
Here are the best anime that released in 2025.
Best New Anime
Takopi’s Original Sin
Takopi’s Original Sin is a drama-sci-fi anime that’s skyrocketed in popularity lately, and for good reason. It’s compact, relentless, and tackles heavy topics in a way that’s raw and hard to shake. From the very start, it pulls no punches, making it one of the most impactful new series to come along in a while.
Much like Goodnight Punpun, it’s a story that digs deep into loneliness, pain, and the messy side of caring for someone. But with its unique sci-fi angle and tight storytelling, it manages to carve out something that feels entirely its own. Takopi, an octopus-like alien from Happy Planet — a place where everyone’s always kind and cheerful — ends up on Earth and meets Shizuka, a girl whose life is anything but happy. Watching Takopi come to understand emotions like sadness, anger, and regret, and what it truly means to look out for someone, is as devastating as it is unforgettable.
And in some ways, the anime hits even harder than the source material, capturing every raw moment with striking visuals and sound that make the story’s heavy themes land all the more powerfully.
Watch now on Crunchyroll.
Medalist
Medalist is easily one of the best and most moving sports anime of 2025. It follows Inori, an 11-year-old with big dreams of becoming a figure skater, who faces daunting obstacles. Despite her age, struggles at school, and doubts from her own family, the ice rink is where she feels alive, and she pushes herself to chase her dream no matter what.
There, she meets Tsukasa, a coach on the verge of giving up on competitive skating entirely. Watching these two come together is what makes Medalist so special. Their partnership isn’t just about the technical side of figure skating, it’s about mutual belief, finding hope again, and pushing back against a world that’s already decided they can’t succeed.
Inori’s passion is contagious, and her dynamic with Tsukasa hits especially hard. You see how much it means to her to have someone finally in her corner, and how Tsukasa’s own spark reignites through coaching her. The anime captures all of this beautifully, the quiet moments, the frustrations, and the raw, joyful energy of the performances on the ice.
It’s an inspiring, heartfelt story that balances intense sports drama with genuinely touching character growth. If you love underdog stories that dig deep into what it means to believe in yourself (especially when no one else does), this is absolutely one of the best picks of the year.
Watch now on Hulu.
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity is one of the best romance anime of 2025. It’s a charming, drama-filled story that feels like a fresh take on Romeo and Juliet—just without the tragedy. Set partly at Chidori High, where underachievers like our main character Rintaro go, it follows his growing connection with Kaoruko, a girl from the prestigious Kikyo Girls’ High. Naturally, their relationship faces plenty of challenges as they navigate the divide between their schools and all the expectations that come with it.
What really makes this series stand out is how genuinely heartwarming it is. It’s a simple premise, but it’s executed so well, with characters who might seem like familiar tropes—the misunderstood guy, the clever girl—but end up having so much more depth. The group dynamic around them is also a lot of fun and gives the show a good balance of sweet and dramatic moments.
And CloverWorks absolutely nailed the animation. Everything from the soft color palette to the subtle character expressions is spot on, making the emotional beats hit even harder. If you’re into star-crossed romances or just want something wholesome and beautifully done, this is one of the best picks of the year.
Watch now on Netflix.
The Summer Hikaru Died
The Summer Hikaru Died, one of the best new horror anime this year, is a must-watch. It follows Yoshiki and Hikaru, childhood friends from a secluded village, until suddenly Hikaru changes, as if something else has taken over him. The story dives deep into Yoshiki’s turmoil, grappling with the loss of the friend he knew and making the painful choice to hold onto this ‘new’ Hikaru anyway.
The setting’s incredible, too. It’s this unsettling countryside village, almost like Higurashi, full of hushed conversations and that creeping unease that hangs over the mountains and forests. As the village spirals into madness, the anime captures every bit of the tension and eerie atmosphere that makes this story so good.
Hikaru is still just as puzzling here—he remembers things, acts with this strange innocence, yet there’s always that underlying threat of what he might really be. It’s a layered mystery that unfolds episode by episode, and the adaptation does a great job bringing out both the raw emotion and the quiet horror of it all.
The animation nails the mood, the characters come through perfectly, and it’s hands down the best new horror series to drop this year. If you love supernatural mystery and that slow, unsettling dread, this is one to check out.
Watch now on Netflix.
Gachiakuta
Gachiakuta was already one of the standout manga of 2024, and its anime adaptation by Bones more than delivers. Set in a gritty, chaotic world where a floating city literally dumps its trash—and people—into an abyss crawling with monsters, this story is packed with raw atmosphere and some of the best worldbuilding we’ve seen in a while.
At the center is Rudo, a slum orphan framed for murder and thrown into the abyss, only to survive and join the Janitors—fighters who take down these twisted trash beasts. His anger and drive for revenge give the story real weight, and the characters all have that sketchy, rough energy that makes Gachiakuta stand out.
Bones absolutely nailed this adaptation. The fights hit hard, the animation’s full of little expressive moments that sell every bit of Rudo’s desperation, and the grimy setting looks incredible brought to life. It’s easily one of the best new anime of 2025—faithful to what made the manga so good and exactly the kind of series you want to keep watching.
Watch now on Crunchyroll. Learn more on why Gachiakuta is a breakout anime of 2025.
Other Anime Worth Checking Out
- Apocalypse Hotel is set in a deserted luxury hotel in Ginza, long after humanity’s collapse, where only diligent service robots remain—quietly keeping everything running as if someone might still come through the door. Watch now on Crunchyroll.
- Secrets of the Silent Witch follows Monica Everett, a powerful mage who’s terrified of talking to people. After taking down a legendary dragon, she’s now stuck guarding a prince—trying to fend off dark forces while battling her own crushing shyness. Watch now on Crunchyroll.
- Sakamoto Days is about Taro Sakamoto, once the world’s most feared hitman, who gave it all up for love. But when old enemies come knocking, he’s forced back into action to protect his family. Watch now on Netflix.
Best Ongoing / Continuing Series
- Solo Leveling Season 2: Arise from the Shadow picks up with Jinwoo’s rise from the world’s weakest hunter to something far more dangerous. With higher stakes, deeper lore, and his powers growing fast, it’s easily one of the best season 2’s of all time, taking everything great about the first and pushing it even further. Watch now on Crunchyroll.
- Dandadan Season 2 takes everything wild about the first season and cranks it up even more. The story gets crazier, with new sci-fi and supernatural twists that keep Momo, Okarun, Jiji, and the rest constantly on their toes. If you thought that Season 1 cliffhanger was intense, you’re not going to want to miss where it goes from here. Watch now on Crunchyroll.
- The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 is one of 2025’s best. The animation looks great, the writing’s sharp, and Maomao continues to be a standout lead. Between the layered mysteries, smart character dynamics, and that immersive historical setting, it’s just solid all around. Watch now on Crunchyroll.
- Call of the Night Season 2 keeps that same stylish, neon-soaked vibe that made the first season so good. With more secrets about the vampire world coming to light and LIDENFILMS back on animation, it’s set to dive even deeper. And after how perfect Creepy Nuts was for the music last time, of course, we got some amazing music again this time around. Watch now on HIDIVE.
- The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 2 is one of the most anticipated comedies this year. It’s chaotic in the best way, with a cast that’s both over-the-top and genuinely fun to watch. The show mixes ridiculous humor with moments that are unexpectedly sweet, making it one of the few harem series that actually feels kind of wholesome. Watch now on Crunchyroll.
- Fire Force Season 3 has David Production turning out some of the best visuals and effects around. With dynamic fights, killer sound design, and a world packed with conspiracies and looming disaster, it’s the kind of series that keeps pulling you in the further it goes. Watch now on Crunchyroll.
- Blue Exorcist: The Blue Night Saga
- Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc
- Dr. Stone: Science Future
- Wind Breaker Season 2
- Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2
- Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary Season 2
- Grand Blue Season 2
- My Dress-Up Darling Season 2
- Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus
- New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt
Best Spinoffs
- Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray
That’s just some of the best anime 2025 had to offer. If you want to see everything that dropped this year—popular series, exciting contiuations, hidden gems, movies and more—you can check out our full breakdown of all the anime that released in 2025.
